SOUND OFF: Buy local at B.C.’s Farmers’ Markets this summer

Aug 11, 2021 | 4:00 PM

WHETHER IT’S ON a bike ride around my neighborhood or on a leisurely weekend outing, I love visiting my local farmers’ markets. As British Columbians we are lucky to live in one of the most beautiful and bountiful places in the world, and you can taste it in every bite and sip. From organic wine to fresh fruits and vegetables, the farmers and producers of this province never cease to amaze me with the quality of the fruits of their labor.

Over the last year and half, we’ve been reminded of how essential our local food systems are to our communities. At a time when we are prioritizing our health and the health of our local economies, buying fresh, local food just makes sense.

But the pandemic also created challenges for farmers and producers, as we all stayed apart and stayed home in order to limit the spread of the virus. As we are allowed to come together more safely, we can once again visit local markets or restaurants and show our support to our farmers.

Your New Democrat government is working hard to strengthen our local food systems through a variety of initiatives like Grow BC, Feed BC, and Buy BC. Grow BC helps young farmers access land to farm and helps fruit and nut growers and processors expand their local food production. Feed BC is bringing more B.C.-grown and processed foods into our schools and hospitals. And Buy BC helps our local farmers and processors to market their products by making it easy for shoppers to spot B.C.-grown products with the familiar Buy BC logo.

With our expanding network of regional Food Hubs, we are also empowering small and medium sized food businesses to expand and increase production in their communities, creating jobs and invigorating local economies. We recently made changes to the meat licensing system, to make it easier for small ranchers to sell their products locally and fill the demand for local meat in rural communities.

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Through these efforts, we are increasing the supports farmers and processors receive for growing, processing, marketing, and distributing their B.C.-grown goods. We’re also making it easier for everyone to choose local when shopping, whether it’s at a farmgate stand, a local farmer’s market, or a grocery store.

Every one of us can play our part in supporting B.C.’s local food. This summer, visit your local farmer’s market or farmgate stands and give the farmers and producers your support. Kamloops is home to one of the province’s oldest farmers’ markets, open every Wednesday and Saturday this summer beside Stuart Wood Elementary. In my constituency, I’ll be visiting the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market to stock up on local goodness. Wherever you find yourself in the province, you can find your nearest farmer’s market by visiting bcfarmersmarkettrail.com. You never know, you might discover something new and delicious!

When we support our local food producers, we are helping to build a stronger and more resilient economy, healthier families and communities, and a more sustainable British Columbia.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by Ronna-Rae Leonard, MLA for Courtenay-Comox

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SOUND OFF: Buy local at B.C.’s Farmers’ Markets this summer

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